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Jade
“My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.”
“My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.”
I looked for my phone as my co-workers laughed at my ringtone, finally finding it underneath the papers all over the desk. I didn’t have any boys coming to my yard lately, so my best friend thought it would be hilarious to have her ringtone on my phone set to Kelis’ famous song. I was happy to have some comic relief from the long morning of stock-taking and checking orders, and I smiled as I answered my phone.
“Aren’t you supposed to be rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous right now?” I asked.
“Hi, Jade.”
My smile immediately faded at Tammie’s lackluster response.
“Tamz, are you okay?”
I had known Tammie for a decade now, having become fast friends after she had bravely defended me from a bully in middle school. Her warmth rivaled the sun, and she was always full of witty comments. The low tone on the other end of the call instantly worried me.
“Grandma Rose is in the hospital,” she replied with a catch in her voice. “Justin said she’s in pretty bad shape.”
“Oh, Tammie, I’m so sorry! Which hospital did they take her to?”
Grandma Rose had practically raised me, too, since Tammie and I were inseparable as teens. My sister and I spent most of our weekends with Tammie and her brother Justin, and their grandmother showed us love as if we were her own. She held a special place in my heart, and I was more than ready to drop everything and rush to the hospital where she was.
“She’s at St. Joseph’s, and I need to rush there now, but I need you to come here and fill for me.”
“At the auction?” I asked, confused for a second.
“Yes. I can’t just leave, especially last minute like this.”
“But it’s an emergency. I’m sure they will understand.”
I knew the modeling business was cutthroat, but this was a special case. Surely, they would understand, wouldn’t they?
“I might get in trouble for breaching my contract, and I really need the money now for whatever hospital bills will come.”
I had never done anything in front of an audience before, and I was sure I would only embarrass myself if I tried. My life was here, surrounded by flour and tubs of chocolate chips, not somewhere in fancy clothes surrounded by people who wouldn’t look twice at me in the street. But I had to remind myself that this wasn’t about me or my fears; this was about the girl who always vowed to give me a kidney if I ever needed it. Tammie was like a second sister.
“Of course, I’ll be right there,” I replied.
“Thank you,” she said gratefully.
She hung up, and I quickly grabbed my bag and removed my apron. The two interns I had been working with left me alone at some point during my call, but I hadn’t even noticed. I went to my boss’ office and gave her a quick update, knowing she would delegate my tasks accordingly. When I got into a Lyft and was on my way to Tammie, I was trying hard not to get lost in my worry for Grandma Rose and nervous about my impending modeling debut.
I called Tammie as soon as I arrived, and she arrived to help me through security. Her eyes were red, and the sad smile she gave me was enough to break my heart. I hugged her tight and wished there was more I could do to help.
“Any news?” I asked as we walked into her small changing room.
“Justin said that there hasn’t been any improvement.”
“Grandma Rose is one of the strongest people I know,” I said, taking her hand and gently squeezing it. “She will pull through.”
Tammie nodded and gave me a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You are right. We have to be strong for her now. And I need you to hold the fort for me here too.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Relax, you look like you are about to throw up,” Tammie said with a genuine smile, which made me relax a little.
